Summary

In Chapter XVII, Williams remembers speaking at a Mormon conference. Four generations of her female family were present. Her life had a feeling of uncertainty because her mother had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had two years to live. Her father retreated into his work while her mother retreated into herself. Williams sensed her mother felt she had to reinvent a role, or voice, for herself so she could heal and survive. At the same time, she needed to take care of her family. Williams watched as her mother immersed herself in reading and taking classes. Williams was also at the point in her life where she was trying to find a voice for herself. It was the time of the women’s rights, civil rights, and environmental movements. She wore a silver bracelet that paid honor to a...